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Hozier -musician

Andrew Hozier-Byrne (born 17 March 1990), known professionally by the mononym Hozier (/ˈhoʊziər/), is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter from County Wicklow. In 2013, he released his debut EP, featuring the hit single "Take Me to Church". His eponymous debut studio album released in 2014 topped the chart in Ireland and scored top ten positions on global charts. It has attained a 6× Platinum accreditation in Ireland, indicating sales of over 90,000 copies. Hozier released an EP in 2018 titled Nina Cried Power, featuring the title track as a single. He released his second album Wasteland, Baby! in March 2019.

Andrew Hozier-Byrne (born 17 March 1990),[1] known professionally by the mononymHozier (/ˈhoʊziər/[2]), is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter from County Wicklow.[3] In 2013, he released his debut EP, featuring the hit single "Take Me to Church". His eponymous debut studio album released in 2014 topped the chart in Ireland and scored top ten positions on global charts. It has attained a 6× Platinum accreditation in Ireland, indicating sales of over 90,000 copies. Hozier released an EP in 2018 titled Nina Cried Power, featuring the title track as a single. He released his second album Wasteland, Baby! in March 2019.

Early life

Hozier was born in Bray, Ireland.[1] Hozier's father, John Byrne,[4] is a local blues drummer whose day job was working at a bank until a surgery to help a spinal problem resulted in nerve damage severe enough to necessitate a wheelchair.[5] His mother, Raine Hozier-Byrne,[4] is an artist.[5]

Career

Beginnings

While in Trinity, Hozier became involved with the Trinity Orchestra. He was a member of the choral ensemble Anúna from 2009 to 2012, and appears as a soloist on their 2012 release Illumination singing "La Chanson de Mardi Gras".[9] He toured and sang with the group internationally including performances in Norway and the Netherlands.[10]

2012-2015: Raven and the Radicals

In 2012, Hozier got his first breakthrough in music as part of the Glasgow based punk rock band Raven and the Radicals. As bassist and backing vocalist he was prominent on hits such as 1981 and Northern Soul. His often political attire on stage at times caused controversy, supporting independence movements in the likes of Scotland and Catalonia.

2013–2016: Hozier

In July 2013, Hozier released the EPTake Me to Church. The title track was a blues-gospel pop song with lyrics about finding solace in a lover, and its video was directed by Brendan Canty and depicts anti-gay violence in Russia.[7][6] Released in September, the video was shared by Stephen Fry, appeared on the front page of Reddit, and went viral.[5][13][7] The single achieved global success, scoring top five positions around the world and gaining multi-platinum certifications. In 2014, Hozier released his second EP From Eden.[14] One of the tracks "Cherry Wine" appeared in Zach Braff's movie "Wish I Was Here", chosen for its "heartbreaking lyrics and poetry".[15] The video for the song was released to raise awareness of domestic violence,[16] and was later performed on the Late Late Show with James Corden.[17][18]

2018: Nina Cried Power EP

In September 2018, Hozier returned with the release of the EP Nina Cried Power. The record features a collaboration with Mavis Staples on the title track, as well as three other songs, titled "NFWMB", "Moment's Silence", and "Shrike". The singer then stated that he was recording his second studio album. The title track, "Nina Cried Power" opposes xenophobia[4] and references various musicians, acknowledging their contributions.[23]

2019: Wasteland, Baby!

Hozier's second album, Wasteland, Baby!, was released on 1 March 2019.[24] The album cover was painted by Hozier's mother who also created the artwork covers for some of his previous releases.[25] He released the album’s lead single, "Movement", on 14 November 2018 along with the music video which featured UkrainianBallet dancer Sergei Polunin. Polunin had previously performed on Hozier's "Take Me to Church" video.[26][27] Subsequently, he also released "Almost (Sweet Music)" on 16 January 2019 and "Dinner and Diatribes" on 15 February 2019.[28] Two songs from the Nina Cried Power EP, the title track and "Shrike", are also included on the album.[29] The song "No Plan" is greatly influenced by a lecture delivered by astrophysicist Katie Mack[4][30] about the end of the universe. He released the music video for "Dinner and Diatribes" on 6 March 2019, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy[31] and directed by Anthony Byrne who also directed the video for "Someone New."

Social activism

He is part of an organisation, Home Sweet Home, led by celebrities including Saoirse Ronan and Glen Hansard. In 2016, this organisation illegally took over an office building in Dublin to house 31 homeless families.[32]

1 2 3 Mullally, Una (12 October 2013). "Hozier's soaring voice and searing heart: From quiet beginnings, the 'Take Me to Church' singer's music, and its political nous, are growing in depth and stature". Irish Times (Dublin).